Home invasion, sexual assault reported early Tuesday

Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 1:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 1:14 p.m.

SILVER SPRINGS — Marion County Sheriff's Office detectives are investigating an allegation of a home invasion and sexual assault early Tuesday.

According to the report, at 2:45 a.m. deputies were alerted to a residential burglary at the Serenity Apartments complex at 3480 NE 49th Terrace in Silver Springs. Inside the unit, deputies found a woman lying on the floor wrapped in a blanket.

A man also was in the apartment. He told the officials that he heard a knock on the door and because he thought it was his mother-in-law, he opened the door. He said three men wearing black masks and gloves, at least one of whom was armed, barged in. He said one of the men said it was the wrong house, but another man said it didn't matter and that since they were there, "Let's see what they got," the report noted.

The intruders then demanded jewelry and money, the man said. He told deputies one man pointed a gun at his head and the others tied him up. He said one of the men forced the woman into the room.

A detective from the Tactical Investigations Unit interviewed the woman, who said she had been sexually assaulted during the invasion.

Deputies said it appeared that whoever else had been in the apartment was searching for something as items were knocked over and drawers were standing open.

Anyone with information about the incident can call the MCSO at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.

<p>SILVER SPRINGS — Marion County Sheriff's Office detectives are investigating an allegation of a home invasion and sexual assault early Tuesday.</p><p>According to the report, at 2:45 a.m. deputies were alerted to a residential burglary at the Serenity Apartments complex at 3480 NE 49th Terrace in Silver Springs. Inside the unit, deputies found a woman lying on the floor wrapped in a blanket.</p><p>A man also was in the apartment. He told the officials that he heard a knock on the door and because he thought it was his mother-in-law, he opened the door. He said three men wearing black masks and gloves, at least one of whom was armed, barged in. He said one of the men said it was the wrong house, but another man said it didn't matter and that since they were there, "Let's see what they got," the report noted.</p><p>The intruders then demanded jewelry and money, the man said. He told deputies one man pointed a gun at his head and the others tied him up. He said one of the men forced the woman into the room.</p><p>A detective from the Tactical Investigations Unit interviewed the woman, who said she had been sexually assaulted during the invasion.</p><p>Deputies said it appeared that whoever else had been in the apartment was searching for something as items were knocked over and drawers were standing open.</p><p>Anyone with information about the incident can call the MCSO at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, or visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>